On premise water treatment system and method

ABSTRACT

A water treatment method uses a removable, disposable cartridge having an internal mesh structure. A disposable heater heats water fed to the cartridge. Precipitated solids collect on the mesh surface provided temperature and residence time are appropriately maintained. The heat breaks down the bicarbonate hardness of the water thereby depositing carbonates on the mesh surface and heavy metals will be codeposited due to the resultant change in pH. The cartridge has a head-space for collecting entrained gases such as volatile or Manic compounds, chlorine and air. Water sterility is achieved by heating the water over an appropriate period of time. Turbidity is removed within the cartridge due to settling induced by the low fluid velocity controlled by a controller and by a filter provided at the outlet of the cartridge. The filter will become blocked when bicarbonate hardness is carried over forcing a user to replace a spent cartridge. Heat economy and a cool treated water outlet stream are s cured by use of a heat exchanger. Water is fed from the cartridge, through an intercooler and the heat exchanger to a storage tank. Water in the storage tank is kept out of contact with air by a movable barrier. Eventually, the water is fed from the storage tank to a dispenser and can subsequently be used in a post-mix beverage dispenser. A visual display indicates the status of the water treatment system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/373,950, filed Aug. 13, 1999,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,830, issued Jul. 24, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water treatment system and method foruse in a post-mix beverage dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some locations, water sterility is a health issue, which restrictsthe se of on premise beverage preparation machines (generally referredto as “postmix” equipment). Where water is to be used in beveragepreparation, excessive bicarbonate hardness is undesirable, since itreduces the acidity of the beverage and affects taste. Volatiles inwater, such as organics and chlorine also can have an affect on itstaste. Particularly halogenated organics (trihalomethanes, generallydescribed as THMs) have recently given rise to consumer concerns andregulatory restriction. Suspended matter and turbidity reduces thequality of water both when consumed alone, and on mixing to produce abeverage. Finally, in certain locations, consumers have also shownconcerns regarding the heavy metal content of water, and this too hasbeen the subject of legislation in some countries.

Dissolved air in raw water, although not in itself a water qualityaspect, can reduce the effectiveness of carbonation in post-mixequipment, and make dispensing difficult due to foaming. A means ofdeaerating water is advantageous for such equipment. It is noted thatwater deaeration is always carried out prior to carbonation in bottlingand canning plants.

Therefore, a simple method for in-house, or instore, removal ofmicrobiological contamination, bicarbonate hardness, volatile organiccompounds (VOCs)—particularly THMs—as well as chlorine and heavy metals,is important for meeting certain consumer concerns, raising the qualityof drinking water in some locations, and improving the taste of onpremise prepared beverages in certain outlets. Additionally, deaerationof water is highly desirable for post-mix outlets, and can lead toreduced foam on dispensing and better beverage quality. However, onpremise water treatment systems must meet the following criteria:

Low cost of original equipment;

High reliability in absence of technical monitoring or controls;

All the above-stated quality criteria (i.e. sterility, bicarbonatehardness, chlorine, THMs/VOCs, turbidity, heavy metals and desirably,deaeration);

Simple, convenient, safe operation by nonqualified people (i.e. in-storeor in-home);

Low cost of maintenance and operation; and

Low space-utilization.

Currently available systems for use in-home and/or in-store do not meetall the quality and other criteria. Such systems include carbonfiltration systems. These systems only address chlorine and VOCs/THMs,but organics are effectively removed only when the filter is regularlymaintained. When maintenance is poor, such devices can actually act asbiological contaminators. Thus, carbon filtration systems can causeproblems in one area while inadequately addressing other areas.

Another conventional system uses reverse osmosis. Such a systemaddresses bicarbonate hardness, heavy metals and microbiologicalcontaminants only., Reverse osmosis systems require significantmaintenance. Moreover, VOCs/THMs are not treated and these together withchlorine, can actually damage the reverse osmotic membrane and reduceits effectiveness.

Simple ion-exchange systems are also known. These systems normallyaddress only bicarbonate hardness or, if more complicated, the totalmetal and salt content of water. However, these systems need regularmaintenance such as the regeneration of the ion-exchange resin. If suchmaintenance is not carried out, these systems can actually producetreated water of worse quality than untreated water. Chlorine isuntreated and can damage the ion-exchange resins in these systems.Moreover, VOCs/THMs Are untreated and microbiological contaminants arenot only untreated but may actually be significantly increased due tomicrobiological growth on the resin.

Simple filtration has been used where turbidity is a water qualityissue. Such filtration addresses this criteria only, and can increasemicrobiological contamination if not regularly maintained.

Water sterilization systems using chemicals are known. Such systemsaddress only the microbiological contaminant criterion and need carefulmaintenance to ensure that chemicals cannot pass into the treated water.

None of these above-mentioned conventional systems are easily maintainedby the non-expert user. Moreover, all of these systems have significantpenalties if the user fails to carry out proper maintenance. Althoughnone of the above-mentioned systems meet the whole set of qualitycriteria discussed, all but the simplest and least reliable are costlyboth to buy and maintain.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,796 to Plester teaches the principles of heattreating water. This system, however, includes carbon and sandfiltration in a first cartridge section and further filtration and anactivated carbon screen in a second cartridge section. It is desired toavoid such filtration and to expand the water treatment qualitycriteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved method for treating all the water quality criteria named(i.e. microbiological contamination, bicarbonate hardness, VOCs/THMs,chlorine, turbidity and heavy metals).

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a methodwhich is simple, cheap, compact, involves low and non-expert maintenanceand has no water quality risk if the user does not properly maintain thesystem.

In this regard, it is a further object of the present invention toprovide a method wherein the user is forced to take steps to maintainthe system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method whereinthe apparatus remains hot until treatment is completed to thereby avoidmicrobiological recontamination.

These objects are also fulfilled by a method of treating water for usein a post-mix beverage dispenser comprising the step of providing ahousing having a collector, an inlet, an outlet and a head-space. Thehousing defines a water treatment chamber and receives water through theinlet. The method further comprises the steps of heating the water inthe water treatment chamber for a predetermined period of time to breakdown bicarbonate hardness in the water and providing a collector onwhich precipitates from the water be deposited. Gases disentrained fromthe water are collected in the head-space of the housing and releasedfrom the housing, and water from the outlet is received in a storagetank. The method further comprises the step of keeping the water storedin the storage tank out of contact with air or other gases in aheadspace of the storage tank by providing a collapsible water chamberincluding a movable hermetic barrier contacting the water in the storagetank and capable of following changes of water volume in the waterchamber.

Moreover, these objects are fulfilled by a method of treating water foruse in a post-mix beverage dispenser comprising the steps of introducingwater into a housing, the housing having a collector and a headspace andheating the water in the housing to break down bicarbonate hardness inthe water. Carbonates are deposited on the collector and heavy metalsare codeposited on the collector due to change in pH of the water. Themethod further comprises the steps of collecting gases disentrained fromthe water in the head-space of the housing and maintaining the water inthe housing for a predetermined period of time. The water is heatedduring at least the predetermined period of time. The water is thensupplied from the housing to a storage tank and the water stored in thestorage tank is kept out of contact with air or other gases in aheadspace of the storage tank by providing a collapsible water chamberincluding a movable hermetic barrier contacting the water in he storagetank and capable of following changes of water volume in the waterchamber.

A method for satisfying these and other objects further comprises thestep of introducing water into a housing or cartridge, the housinghaving a collector and a filter. The filter has a shorter useful lifethan the collector. The water is moved through the housing with thewater first flowing through the collector and then through the filter.The method further includes the step of heating the water in the housingto break down bicarbonate hardness in the water thereby depositingcarbonates on the collector. The carbonates gradually reduce properfunctioning of the collector. A condition of the filter which changes asa function of the depositing of said bicarbonates thereon which willeventually block the flow of water through the filter is monitored. Thecollector will only partially be blocked when the filter is completelyblocked such that water could flow through the collector but the flow ofwater through the collector is prevented by the blocking of the filter.This blocked filter will therefore signal the need for maintenance ofthe collector.

According to another embodiment of this invention, a system for treatingwater comprises a water submersible heater disposed in a housing alongwith al solid precipitate collector. More particularly, the systemcomprises a housing defining a water treatment chamber and having awater inlet for receiving untreated water and a water outlet fordischarging treated water, the water submersible heater, and thecollector. The water submersible heater is disposed in the housing sothat the heater is in direct contact with the water in the housing andthe heater heats the water sufficiently to convert dissolved impuritiesin the untreated water to solid precipitates and gases. The collector isdisposed in the housing for collecting the solid precipitates depositedfrom the water. Suitable water submersible heaters can includeelectrical heaters. Desirably, the housing, collector, and heater form adisposable unit which can be disengaged from the system and replaced.

This invention also encompasses a method for treating water comprisingfeeding untreated water into a water treatment chamber defined by ahousing through a water inlet in the housing, heating the untreatedwater fed into the water treatment chamber with a water submersibleheater disposed in the housing, collecting the solid precipitatesdeposited from the water onto a collector disposed in the housing, anddischarging treated water from the housing through a water outlet in thehousing.

This invention also encompasses an embodiment wherein the polishingfilter of the water treatment and system is a polyester wool filter. Thepolyester wool filter is relatively inexpensive and performs well.

According to still another aspect of this invention, a system fortreating water is provided comprising a housing defining a watertreatment chamber and having a water inlet for receiving untreated waterand a water outlet for discharging treated water, a heater for heatingthe water in the housing sufficiently to convert dissolved impurities inthe untreated water to solid precipitates and gases, a collectordisposed in the housing for collecting the solid precipitates, a watercooler for receiving treated water from the housing water outlet, and afan for forcing air past the water cooler to cooler the treated water inthe water cooler. More particularly, the system for treating waterfurther comprises a gas outlet for discharging the gases from thehousing and a condenser for receiving the gases discharged from the gasoutlet. The fan is position for forcing air past the condenser to coolthe gases in the condenser. This invention also encompasses thecorresponding method wherein air is forced past a water cooler in awater treatment method to cool the treated water in the water cooler.

According to yet another aspect of this invention, a system for treatingwater is provided comprising a visual display for indicating a status ofthe system. Desirably, the visual display comprises a plurality oflights for indicating the status of the system and is capable ofindicating a plurality of possible statuses of the system. The statusesinclude the level of water in the housing, the level of water in thereservoir, the level of precipitate blockage in the fine filter of thesystem, the water discharge status, the system cooling status, and thesystem power status.

More particularly, the visual display of this invention indicates whenthe water in the housing is below a predetermined level, when the waterin the housing is above a predetermined level, when the water in thereservoir is below a predetermined level, when the housing dischargestreated water, and when the water in the housing is below apredetermined temperature.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the basic apparatus used with the method of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an alternative arrangement for the product water storagetank of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an alternative control system using electrical heating;

FIG. 4 shows an alternative gas heating system of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a reduced scale, perspective view of a cartridge used inthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative water treatment systemmade in accordance with an embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the visual display and control system of thewater treatment system illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference toFIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention is shown. This apparatusincludes a removable/disposable housing or cartridge 1 having a meshstructure 2 and a float valve 3. The interior of cartridge 1 forms awater treatment chamber. The mesh structure 2 can be metal or plastic.The mesh structure 2 acts as a collector means through which water flowsas will be described below.

Optional baffles 4 may be provided in the mesh structure 2 in cartridge1. These baffles 4 guide the water along a tortuous path from one end ofthe cartridge 1 to another as indicated by the arrows. The baffles 4 canbe either metal or plastic and will ensure good distribution, avoidanceof short-circuiting and good particle settling.

In FIG. 5, the toroidal shape of cartridge 1 can be seen. In otherwords, the cartridge 1 has a cylindrical shape with a longitudinalcavity 5. This cavity 5 is shown as terminating within the cartridge 1,but this cavity 5 could extend completely through the cartridge 1.

As FIG. 1 shows, cartridge 1 is heated by an internal heater 6 or anexternal heating-mantle 6 a (as indicated in dotted lines). The internalheater 6 is inserted into the centrally located cavity 5. Whilecartridge 1 is disposable, the internal heater 6 or heating-mantle 6 aacts as a permanent heating means. The cartridge 1 is insertable on orinto either of these heaters and is readily removable therefrom. It iscontemplated that only one heater 6 or 6 a will be used; however, bothheaters can be used, if necessary. The external heating-mantle 6 a cansurround all of the generally cylindrical cartridge 1 or only a part ofthis cartridge. Of course, other heating arrangements should be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art.

Internal pipes are arranged within the cartridge 1. These pipes inincludes inlet pipe 7 which ducts incoming untreated water to the baseof cartridge 1. An outlet pipe 8 ducts the treated water from the top ofthe cartridge 1. These pipes 7 and 8 can respectively be considered as awater inlet and a water outlet to the water treatment chamber incartridge 1.

The cartridge 1 is located within the apparatus by a removable head 9.Cartridge 1 can-be screwed onto head 9 or attached thereto by any othersuitable means. This head 9 and cartridge 1 merely need to be connectedsuch that water will not leak, from cartridge 1. Suitable gaskets orO-rings can be used to ensure an hermetic seal between head 9 andcartridge 1, if so desired.

The head 9 contains the inlet/outlet water piping and a vent 10 for thegases as will be explained below. Vent 10 can simply be a pipe extendingfrom the interior of the cartridge 1. The cartridge 1 is readilyremovable from an insulating mantle 41. This mantle 41 can easily beopened to provide access for changing cartridge 1.

Head 9 is removable from cartridge 1. The head 9 can be extracted frommantle 41 with the cartridge 1 or alternatively, can be separated fromthe cartridge 1 and remain within this mantle 41. Appropriate couplings(such as quick release couplings) are provided for the pipes 7, 8 andvent 10 so that these elements can readily be connected or disconnectedto existing piping structure within the cartridge 1. Alternatively,these pipes 7, 8 and vent 10 can simply be inserted into the cartridge 1when head 9 is placed on the mantle 41. One skilled in the art shouldappreciated many different arrangements whereby the cartridge 1 can bereadily inserted into and removed from mantle 41.

Untreated raw water indicated by numeral 15 enters the system throughwater main 52. This water passes through valve 54 and a mechanical flowcontrol 16. Valve 54 can be omitted and control means 16 can act as thesole inlet control between the water main 52 and cartridge 1.

The control means 16 controls flow of the water through the cartridge 1.The control means or flow control 16 will control the velocity of thewater through the cartridge 1 such that the water will remain in thecartridge for a predetermined period of time, usually 1-60 minutes.

The water in inlet pipe 7 travels through a heat exchanger 18. The rawwater 15 is heated by outgoing treated water indicated by numeral 19.This will reduce the temperature of product water 20 close to thetemperature of the incoming raw water 15.

The heated raw water 21 will enter cartridge 1 and be ducted to the baseof the cartridge by the inlet pipe 7. This water will then rise throughthe cartridge 1 being heated by the internal heater 6 or the externalheating-mantle 6 a. The water will rise to the level of the float valve3 and will be ducted out of the cartridge 1 by the outlet pipe 8.

Gases disentrained within the cartridge 1 consists mainly of whateverVOCs/THMs, air and chlorine are dissolved in the raw water as well ascarbon dioxide formed during the heat induced decomposition ofbicarbonate. In particular, volatiles will be removed due to the rise intemperature and attendant reduction in solubility of the water. Thesevolatiles will also be removed by the stripping effect of dissolved airand nascent carbon dioxide generated by the breakdown of bicarbonatehardness.

Gases collect in the head-space 11 of the cartridge 1 and are releasedperiodically together with steam by float valve 3. These gases are thenvented through vent 10. Solids contained in the raw water 15, or formedby the decomposition of bicarbonates, or heavy metals whose solubilityhas been reduced, are deposited in the mesh structure 2 of cartridge 1.The bicarbonates, heavy metals and any other precipitates from the watercan be considered as certain precipitated solids which are collected bythe mesh structure (collector means) 2.

In particular, precipitated solids collect on the surface of the meshstructure 2, provided the process criteria (temperature and residencetime) are appropriately maintained. The heat from internal heater 6 orheating-mantle 6 a will break down the bicrbonate hardness, depositingcarbonates on the mesh structure 2. Accordingly, the cartridge 1 is areaction chamber in which bicarbonate is removed out of solution in thewater by thermal decomposition, which changes the bicarbonate tocarbonate and carbon dioxide. The carbonate is insoluble and deposits asa hard “fur” (clinging sediment) on the mesh structure 2 and other hotsurfaces within the disposable cartridge 1.

As will be explained below, these deposits eventually reduce theinternal capacity of the cartridge 1 to a point beyond which the thermaldecomposition can no longer be completed because the reduced space inthe cartridge results in a reduction in the treatment time available forthe water in the cartridge. In other words, carbonates and heavy metalsare codeposited and gradually fill up the cartridge 1 reducing its voidspace and thus reducing residence time of the water in the cartridge.The heavy metals are codeposited with the carbonates due to theresultant change in pH of the water. As the residence time is reduced,so is the time available for the precipitation to take place. At somepoint, when the deposits have reached a certain level and the voidagewithin the cartridge has been reduced to a certain degree, there is nolonger sufficient space in the cartridge 1 to achieve minimum residencetime needed to complete the precipitation process. Then water withprecipitable dissolved solids will enter a polishing ring filter 22.This ring filter 22 will be described in more detail below.

As set forth above, the cartridge 1 has a free internal gas/liquidsurface at head-space 11 where volatiles are collected and discharged bythe internally operated valving device 3. The volatiles (VOCs/THMs andchlorine) are removed due to the rise in temperature and attendantreduction in solubility and also by the stripping effect of dissolvedair and of nascent carbon dioxide generated by the breakdown ofbicarbonate hardness. Water sterility is achieved by heating the waterover an appropriate time period. Turbidity is removed within thecartridge 1 due to settling induced by the low fluid velocity controlledby the control means 16 and by the fine filtration mesh or filter 22.

The ring filter 22 is a filter means. The water at the top of thecartridge is ducted through this ring filter 22 which acts as apolishing filter. Cottonwool, fine sand and/or plastic granules, porousplastic or similar material can be used for filter 22. Any materialsuitable for fine, depth-filtration can be used for ring filter 22. Thefilter 22 will initially have a function of removing or polishing minutecarry-over of solids in solid (i.e. non-dissolved) form. The filter 22is arranged to be in contact with either the internal heater 6 oralternatively, the heating-mantle 6 a. The water leaving the filter 22will eventually enter the outlet pipe 8 and leave cartridge 1.

Bicarbonate escaping the mesh structure 2 (due to inadequatedecomposition in cartridge 1) will deposit on filter 22. Until waterwith precipitatable dissolved solids enters the ring filter 22, thisfilter generally only removes odd specks of escaping solid. In otherwords, carry-over of dissolved solids should not normally reach filter22, since such dissolved solids should be deposited on mesh structure 2;however, when the voidage within the mesh structure 2 is reduced and thecartridge 1 is spent, precipitatable dissolved solids will carry-over toring filter 22. Since the ring filter 22 contacts the internal heater 6and/or the heating-mantle 6 a, it will be heated and the noncompletedprecipitation will continue or be completed in the filter 22. Carry-overoff dissolved-solids would normally pass through filter 22 and notaffect it. Because ring filter 22 is heated, however, a postreaction isinduced and the non-completed precipitation will continue or becompleted.

Because the filter 22 has minute pores compared to the mesh structure 2,the filter 22 fills and blocks very quickly due to the carry-over. Thesedeposits will signal the need to change cartridge 1. Such bicarbonateswill decompose and block ring filter 22 rendering the cartridgeunusable. The user will then be forced to exchange the cartridge for afresh one.

Water would continue to pass through the mesh structure 2 except thatthe blocked filter 22 prevents such flow. In other words, if the filter22 were not present, water would continue to flow through the meshstructure 2 and exit the filter. While some purification of the waterwould occur, the water exiting the cartridge 1 would not be adequatelytreated. Because filter 22 is present, water flow will terminate whenthis filter becomes blocked due to bicarbonates being carried over. Thecondition of the filter 22 will change as a function of the depositingof bicarbonates thereon. This condition of filter 22 can be monitored.When the filter 22 is eventually blocked, the user will therefore beautomatically signaled of the need for maintenance of the mesh structure(collector means) 2. When the filter 22 is blocked, the cartridge 1 isbasically spent and the cartridge outlet blocked. The user willtherefore be forced to replace cartridge 1.

Water sterility is achieved with the present apparatus by heating thewater over an appropriate period of time under the control of controlmeans 16. Turbidity is removed from the water within the cartridge 1 dueto the settling induced by the low fluid velocity and by the filter 22provided at the outlet of the cartridge.

Outgoing treated water 19 passes into an air-cooler 25. This air-cooler25 has a conventional fin-type construction for air cooling. Temperatureof the treated water 19 is reduced by 5° C. to 30° C. This ensures thatthe outgoing treated water 19 no longer has a temperature which cancause bicarbonate decomposition and solid deposition within the heatexchanger 18. Such bicarbonate decomposition and solid deposition couldrender the heat exchanger 18 inoperative. Also, the air-cooler 25 willensure that incoming ray water cannot be heated within the heatexchanger 18 to a temperature that would induce premature precipitationof dissolved solids in the incoming raw water, and thus lead to ultimateblockage inside the heat exchanger.

The heated raw water 21 leaving the heat exchanger 18 has a temperaturewhich is 5° C. to 30° C. lower than the operating temperature of thecartridge 1. This water will quickly reach the correct operatingtemperature upon entering cartridge 1. A cool treated water outletstream is secured with the present apparatus and method. The heatexchanger also aids heat economy such that a thermally efficient systemis obtained. Also, by reducing the temperature of the treated water,overheating of a downstream dispenser having built-in refrigeration canbe avoided.

The operating temperature in cartridge 1 is in the range of 90° C. to115° C., but may be significantly higher when the water contains a highproportion of sodium or potassium bicarbonates. The temperature is keptas low as practical, within the needs of treatment quality. This willenable the system to operate at a low pressure and to minimize energyconsumption.

Preferably, the water will be fed by pressure from water main 52 withoutthe necessity of a water feed pump. Of course, such a pump could beused. The residence time of the water in the cartridge 1 is controlledby the control means 16 and the design of the free volume of thecartridge 1. If a water pump is used, the control means 16 can causethis pump to supply water to the cartridge when appropriate. Residencetimes of water within the cartridge 1 are in the order of 1-60 minutesas noted above.

The product water 20 enters storage tank 26 from the heat exchanger 18.An air cushion 27 is provided within the storage tank 26. Head-spacegases such as air are found in this cushion 27. This air cushion isseparated from the stored water 28 by a movable hermetic barrier 29.Barrier 29 contacts the water in water chamber 56 and follows changes inwater volume. This barrier 29 will therefore keep the water in thestorage tank out of contact with head-space gases. A gaseous head-spacewill not be permitted to be formed above and in contact with the water.The barrier 29 will permit water storage without recontamination of thewater with atmosphere.

This movable barrier 29 can be a flexible membrane, a floating platformon the surface of the water in tank 26 or any other suitable structure.If a flexible membrane is used as the barrier 29, it can be made fromplastic, rubber or any suitable material. The air cushion 27 is trappedin the head-space of the storage tank 26. Pressure of the air cushion 27therefore increases as the quantity of stored water 28 increases.

In very small installations, where control simplification is desired,the controls described below can be simplified by allowing the pressureof the air cushion 27 to stop the water flow once this pressure hasreached equilibrium with the water main pressure. In such anarrangement, the flow would automatically restart when stored water 28is withdrawn and the pressure of the air cushion 27 falls. In such acase, cartridge 1 must be oversized in capacity to deal with thecondition of cold starting.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, instead of an air cushion 27, thebarrier 29 can move an actuator 30. This actuator 30 can be a verticallymovable platform within the storage tank 26. Upon reaching a certainheight, the actuator 30 will trigger a level switch 31. The level switch31 is part of the control system of the apparatus described below. Whenit is necessary to operate with cartridge 1 having a temperature above100° C., a back pressure on the cartridge 1 can be provided by a simple,conventional spring-relief valve 32.

The purpose of barrier 29 is to permit water storage withoutrecontamination of the water as noted above. The water is out of contactwith the ambient environment. Air within the storage tank (such asair-cushion 27) is kept out of contact with the stored water 28. Thebarrier can also prevent the formation of a gaseous head-space incontact with the water in chamber 56.

The purpose of the storage tank 26 is to enable the sizing of cartridge1 and its heaters (6 or 6 a) to be minimal and compact, by not needingto meet pre-draw requirements. One purpose of the air cushion 27 is toprovide a back pressure on the cartridge 1. This will enable operatingtemperatures in the cartridge above 100° C., similarly to thespring-relief valve 32.

In case of electrical heating as shown in FIG. 1, heaters 6 or 6 a canbe sized to provide fixed heat generation consisting of requiredsensible heat, plus a small amount of evaporation, plus heat losses.Solenoid-operated stop valve 35 is located in the removable head 9. Thisstop valve 35 is closed whenever cartridge 1 is below the correcttemperature of water treatment. In such a condition, no steam will begenerated in its head-space. Such steam is detected by thermal switch 36located immediately after head 9.

When thermal switch 36 detects steam, the stopvalve 35 opens to permittreated water to flow from cartridge 1. When storage tank 26 is full,the air cushion 27 reaches maximum pressure. This can be detected bypressure switch 37 or level switch 31. Either switch can close a stopvalve 35 and turn off the heater 6 or 6 a.

As the stored water 28 is withdrawn from the storage tank 26, thepressure on the air cushion 27 falls. The heater 6 or 6 a will then beswitched back on. However, stop valve 35 does not immediately open. Thisvalve 35 is kept closed by thermal switch 36 until steam is generatedand the correct treatment temperature is established. The effluent gasesducted in pipe 10 of FIG. 1 contain mainly steam. These gases arecondensed in a finned coiled tube 39. The condensate collects in driptray 40. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the air cushion 27 isreplaced by an actuator 30 and the level switch 31 performs all thefunctions described for the pressure switch 37.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a simple on/off thermostat system can instead beused. Because many of the elements in the embodiment of FIG. 3 are thesame as those of FIG. 1, their description will now be omitted. Theon/off thermostat system of FIG. 3 is used when the heat capacity of theheater 6 or 6 a is low enough to permit good temperature control. Inthis case, the thermal switch 36 is located within the headspace 11 ofcartridge 1. This thermal switch 36 will switch heater 6 or 6 a on andoff by an electrical switch 38.

FIG. 1 indicates a dispenser 50 connected to the stored water 28 instorage tank 26. It should be noted that water flows directly from thecartridge 1 to the storage tank 26 and then to the this dispenser 50without the need for additional treatment. In particular, there is nochemical treatment of the water after it leaves the cartridge 1.Moreover, chemicals are not added to the cartridge to treat the watertherein. Conventional carbon/sand filtration is avoided in the presentapparatus while increased water treatment quality criteria are met.

The dispenser 50 indicated in FIG. 1 is merely shown as a block diagram.It should be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that variousdispensing arrangements may be incorporated as such a dispenser. Treatedwater released from this dispenser 50 can be used in a post-mix beveragedispenser. In fact, household or in-store users can tap the water fromthe storage tank 26 and drink it as treated water without the watergoing to dispenser 50. This treated water could therefore be used fordomestic drinking or cooking purposes.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an alternate heating arrangement is shown.Because many of the elements in the embodiment of FIG. 4 are the same asthose of FIG. 1, their description will now be omitted. Gas heating isused in this embodiment of FIG. 4 instead of internal heater 6. Anexternal heating-mantle 6 a may or may not be used depending upon theheating requirements of the apparatus.

Cartridge 1 and head 9 have an internal chimney 44 in the embodiment ofFIG. 4. Thermal switch 36 is located in the head-space 11 of cartridge1. This thermal switch 36 will switch gas valve 45 on and off. The gasflame will then be lit by spark plug 46 and ignition will be controlledin a conventional manner to ensure safe operation. The gas supply forthe flame can be provided by a gas cylinder 47. The gas cylinder 47 islocated beneath the internal chimney 44. The gas cylinder 47 and gasvalve 45 are a part of the heater means of the FIG. 4 embodiment.

The arrangement of FIG. 4 is easily portable and can be use in manydifferent applications. For example, this arrangement can be used atfairs, picnics or other locations where electrical power is not readilyavailable. If an external heating mantle 6 a is also provided, this FIG.4 embodiment can also readily be used when electric power is availableand gas heating is not desired.

Apart from the water treatment apparatus of the present invention awater treatment method is provided. In this water treatment method,water is introduced into the cartridge 1 and passed through the meshstructure 2. The water is heated by either the internal heater 6, by theexternal heating-mantle 6 a or by a flame from gas cylinder 47. Thisheating will cause breakdown of bicarbonate hardness of the water. Acollector or mesh structure 2 is provided on which the bicarbonate andother precipitates can be deposited. Gases disentrained from the waterare collected in head-space 11. Storage tank 26 is provided to receivethe water from the outlet of the cartridge 1. This water is kept out ofcontact with air or other gases in a head-space of the storage tank 26by providing a collapsible water chamber 56 including hermetic barrier29. This barrier 29 contacts the water in the storage tank 26 andfollows changes in water volume in the water chamber 56.

The method of the invention further includes the steps of introducingwater into the housing or cartridge 1. A collector or mesh structure 2and head-space 11 are provided in the housing. The water is heated byeither the internal heater 6, by the external heating mantle 6 a or by aflame from gas cylinder 47. This heating will cause breakdown of thebicarbonates in the water which will be deposited on the mesh structureor collector 2. Heavy metals will be codeposited on this mesh structure2 due to the resultant change in pH of the water. Gases disentrainedfrom the water are collected in head-space 11. The water is maintainedin the cartridge 1 for a predetermined period of time. The water isheated during at least this predetermined period of time, usually 10-60minutes. The water will then be supplied from housing or cartridge 1directly to storage tank 26. The water in the storage sank 26 is keptout of contact with air or other gases in the headspace of tank 26 bythe barrier 29. This barrier 29 is in contact with the water and followschanges of water volume in the water chamber 56 of the tank 26.

The water in storage tank 26 can be discharged through dispenser 50.There is no chemical treatment of the water from the cartridge 1 to thestorage tank 26 and the dispenser 50. Treatment of water quality issubstantially completed when the water leaves cartridge 1.

Apart from the above-described methods, the present-invention alsoprovides for a method for treating water for use in a post-mix beveragedispenser wherein the ability of the system to treat the water can bemonitored. In this method, water is so introduced into housing orcartridge 1. The water will move through the housing by first owingthrough the collector or mesh structure 2 and then through the filter22. The filter 22 as a shorter useful life than the collector. Theinternal heater 6, the external heating-mantle 6 a or the flame from gascylinder 47 will heat the water within housing or cartridge 1.Bicarbonate hardness of the water will be broken down and carbonateswill be deposited on the collector or mesh structure 2 thereby graduallyreducing its proper functioning. A condition of the filter 22 willchange as a function of the depositing of the bicarbonates on the meshstructure 2 such that the filter 22 will monitor the condition of thefilter. The filter 22 will become completely blocked before the meshstructure 2 to thereby stop the flow of water. This blocked filter 22will therefore signal the need for maintenance of the collector or meshstructure 2. Because the flow of water will terminate, a user will beforced to replace a spent cartridge 1.

An alternative water treatment system 110 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. Thestructure and operation of this alternative water treatment system 110is similar to the system illustrated in FIG. 1, but is also different inmany respects as will be explained below. Generally, the alternativewater treatment system 110 comprises an enclosure 112, a disposable andreplaceable water treatment cartridge 114, a heat exchange cartridge116, an intercooler 118, a condenser 120, and a treated water reservoir121.

The enclosure 112 is desirably of sturdy construction such as stainlesssteel, plastic, wood or other types of metal, and has an access opening122 which can be sealed by a door 124. The enclosure 112 is divided intoa water treatment compartment 126 and a cooling compartment 128 by avertical panel 130. Vents 132 at the top and bottom of the coolingcompartment 128 allow cooling air flow through the cooling compartment.

The disposable water treatment cartridge 114 is similar in operation andstructure to the cartridge 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 and describedhereinabove; however, there are some differences. The water treatmentcartridge 114 shown in FIG. 6 composes a housing 133 including a metalcylinder or can 134 which removably attaches to a circular head 136attached to a mounting panel 138 in the enclosure 112. The mountingpanel 138 extends between the vertical panel 130 and a side wall of theenclosure. An untreated water inlet 140 extends through the head 136 ofthe cartridge housing 133 and into the water treatment chamber 137. Theuntreated water inlet 140 discharges untreated water toward the lowerend of the cartridge housing 133. A treated water outlet 142 extendsfrom within the water treatment chamber 137 through the head 136 of thecartridge housing 133.

A water submersible electric heater 144 is disposed in the cartridgehousing 133 proximate the lower end of the housing. Electrical contacts146 extend through the metal cylinder 134 of the housing 133 forconnection to an electric power source. The heater 144 is disposed inthe housing for direct contact with water in the housing and isdisposable along with the remainder of the cartridge 114. As with theembodiments described hereinabove, the heater 144 is operable forheating water in the water treatment chamber 137 of the cartridge 114sufficiently to convert dissolved impurities in the untreated water tosolid precipitates and gases.

A collector 148 comprising a steel or plastic mesh is disposed in thecartridge housing 133 between the heater 144 and the head 136. As withthe previous embodiments, the collector collects at least a portion ofthe solid precipitates deposited from the water during treatment of thewater. A polishing filter 150 is disposed in the cartridge housing 133on top of the collector 148 and, as in the previous embodimentsdescribed herein, collects the relatively fine portion of theprecipitates deposited from the water during treatment. The polishingfilter 150 can comprise a variety of materials as described with regardto the previous embodiment, but preferably comprises polyester wool.

As in the previous embodiment, the polishing filter 150 of this watertreatment system 110 has a shorter useful life than the collector 148.The untreated water inlet 140 discharges untreated water below thecollector 148 and the treated water outlet 142 collects treated waterabove the polishing filter 150 so that the water discharged by theuntreated water inlet must flow first through the collector and thenthrough the polishing filter. The polishing filter 150, having a fineporous structure, becomes blocked with precipitates before the collector148 becomes blocked. As will be explained in more detail below, thisblockage indicates that the cartridge 114 must be replaced.

A gas outlet valve 152 in the head 136 of the cartridge housing 133periodically discharges gases from the head space 154 of the cartridge114 through a gas outlet 153. As with the previously describedembodiment, these gases include steam, carbon dioxide, and otherimpurities released from the water during treatment.

A lower water level sensor 156 is disposed in the water treatmentcartridge housing 133 above the polishing filter 150 and an upper waterlevel sensor 158 is disposed in the water treatment cartridge housingabove the lower level sensor. As will be explained further below, thesewater level sensors 156 and 158 indicate the water level in the watertreatment cartridge 114 and indicate the degree of blockage of thepolishing filter 150.

A temperature measuring device 160, such as a thermocouple, is alsodisposed in the water treatment chamber 137 of the cartridge housing 133for measuring the temperature of the water in the water treatmentchamber. A steam detector 162 such as a thermal switch is disposed inthe gas outlet 153 to detect the generation of steam by the watertreatment cartridge 114.

The heat exchange cartridge 116 is disposed in the water treatmentcompartment 126 of the enclosure adjacent the water treatment cartridge114 and comprises a housing 164 including a metal cylinder or can 165and a head 166. The cylinder 165 removably attaches to the head 166. Theheat exchange cartridge 116 also includes a coiled tube 168 forreceiving treated water from the water treatment cartridge 114. Thecoiled tube 168w extends between a treated water inlet 170 extendingthrough the head 166 of the housing 164 and a treated water outlet 172,which extends through the head 166 of the housing inside an untreatedwater inlet 174. Untreated water enters the heat exchange cartridgehousing 164 through the untreated water inlet 174 in the head 166. Theuntreated water inlet 174 discharges the untreated water near the bottomof the heat exchange cartridge housing 164. An untreated water outlet176 also extends through the head 166 of the heat exchange cartridgehousing 164 and connects with the untreated water inlet 140 of the watertreatment cartridge 114.

The intercooler 118 is disposed in the cooling compartment 128 of theenclosure 112 and includes a coiled tube 178 connected to the treatmentwater outlet 142 of the water treatment cartridge 114 via conduit 180. Afan 182 disposed in the cooling compartment 128 forces air flow throughthe cooling compartment 128 between the vents 132 in the enclosure 112.

The condenser 120 is also disposed in the cooling compartment 128 of theenclosure 112 and comprises tubing 184 extending from the gas outlet 153in the water treatment cartridge 114 to an outlet 186 in the enclosure112.

Raw untreated water is introduced into the water treatment system 110via a water main 188 which leads to the untreated water inlet 174 of theheat exchange cartridge 116.

Cooled treated water from the heat exchange cartridge 116 is dischargedthrough the reservoir 121 via an exit conduit 196. The reservoir 121comprises a housing 198 and a plastic bag 200 disposed in the housingfor receiving the treated water. As with the previous embodiments, theplastic bag 200 protects the treated water from biologicalrecontamination. A level sensor 202 is disposed in the reservoir housing198 and detects the level of treated water in the reservoir 121.

The diagram in FIG. 7 illustrates a visual display 208 for indicatingthe status of the water treatment system 110. A computer control board210 monitors the various detectors and measuring devices in the watertreatment system 110 and, based on data from the detectors and measuringdevices, commands a visual display of the system's status via threelights or LEDS 212, 214, and 216. Although any number of lights andcolors can be used to display the status of the water treatment system110, this embodiment has three lights, one green, one yellow and onered. Each light is capable of emitting a steady light or a flashinglight. The operation of the water treatment system 110 and the visualdisplay 208 is described hereinafter.

Raw untreated water enters the water treatment system 110 through thewater main 188 and is discharged through the untreated water inlet 174of the heat exchange cartridge 116 into the housing 164 of the heatexchange cartridge proximate the bottom of the heat exchange cartridgehousing. The untreated water is heated in the heat exchanger from atemperature of about 25° C. to about 80° C. The heated untreated wateris discharged from the heat exchange cartridge 116 through the untreatedwater outlet 176 which connects to the untreated water inlet 140 of thewater treatment cartridge 114.

The heated untreated water is discharged into the water treatmentcartridge housing 133 below the steel mesh collector 148 in the watertreatment cartridge housing. The heater 144 in the water treatmentchamber 137 heats the untreated water to a temperature of about 115° C.The water slowly flows up to the top of the water treatment cartridge114 through the collector 148 and the polishing filter 150. The minimumresidence time of water in the water treatment cartridge 114 is aboutsix minutes. As explained with the foregoing embodiment, heating thewater causes precipitates such as carbonates and heavy metals to depositon the heated surfaces of the water treatment cartridge. The coarser,heavier particles tend to settle at the bottom of the cartridge housing133 and finer particles collect on the collector 148 and the polishingfilter 150. In addition, as the water in the water treatment cartridge114 heats, entrained gases are released from the water into the headspace 154 of the cartridge and steam forms in the head space of thecartridge. As with the previously described embodiment, when thetemperature of the water in the water treatment cartridge 114 reaches115° C. and the thermal switch 162 detects steam in the gas outlet 152,a valve in the gas outlet is opened and releases steam and other gasesto the condenser 120.

Gases in the condenser 120, such as steam, are cooled in the condenserby the forced air flow in the cooling compartment 128 created by the fan182. The condensants are discharged into a drip pan (not shown) ordirectly to drain.

Treated water is discharged from the water treatment cartridge housing133 through the treated water outlet 142 and fed to the intercooler 118.The treated water is cooled in the intercooler 118 by the forced airproduced by the fan 182 in the cooling compartment 128 from atemperature of about 115° C. to about 80° C. The intercooler 118discharges the treated water into the coiled tube 168 of the heatexchange cartridge 116 through the treated water inlet 170. The treatedwater travels through the inside of the coiled tube 168 and is cooledfrom a temperature of about 80° C. to about 25° C. by thecounter-flowing untreated water from the water main 188.

The cooled treated water is then discharged from the heat exchangecartridge 116 through the treated water outlet 172 and conducted to thereservoir 121. The treated water is held in the reservoir bag 200 untilthe treated water is dispensed, such as for use in making fountainbeverages.

The purpose of the intercooler 118 is to cool the treated water to atemperature sufficiently low so as not to cause hardness in theuntreated water passing through the heat exchanger to precipitate andform scale in the heat exchange cartridge 116 and the conduits feedingthe untreated water from the heat exchange cartridge 116 to the watertreatment cartridge 114.

The visual display 208 is capable of indicating a plurality of statusesof the water treatment system 110 during the operation of the water andservice of the water treatment system. When power to the water treatmentsystem 110 is turned on with an on/off switch 220, the green light 212of the visual display 208 comes on and emits a steady light. As thewater treatment cartridge 114 begins to fill with water, the yellowlight 214 comes on and emits a steady yellow light until the watertreatment cartridge 114 has enough water to cover the lower water levelsensor 156. The control board 210, based on data from the lower waterlevel sensor 156 in the water treatment cartridge 114, turns off thesteady yellow light 214 when the lower water level sensor is coveredwith water.

The control board 210 also monitors the water level sensor 202 in thereservoir 121 and until the reservoir has enough water to cover thewater level sensor in the reservoir, the control board causes the yellowlight 214 to flash. Once the control board 210 detects that the waterlevel sensor in the reservoir is covered in water, the control boardturns off the flashing yellow light 214.

The control board 210 monitors the temperature data from thethermnocouple 160 in the water treatment cartridge 114 and the thermalswitch 162 in the gas outlet 153 and when the temperature of the waterin the water treatment cartridge reaches 115° C. and steam is detectedin the gas outlet, the control board directs the treated water outletvalve to discharge treated water to the reservoir 121 and causes thegreen light 212 of the visual display 208 to flash. When the treatedwater outlet valve closes and water generation ceases, the control boarddirects the green light 212 to emit a steady light indicating that thewater treatment system power is on.

The control board 210 monitors data from the lower and upper water levelsensors 156 and 158 in the water treatment cartridge 114 and calculatesthe time required for water to rise from the lower level sensor to theupper level sensor. The time required for the water to rise indicatesthe degree of blockage of the polishing filter 150. The control board210 compares the time required for the water to rise between the lowerand upper water level sensors 156 and 158 and compares it to apredetermined time which indicates a degree of blockage of the polishingfilter 150 and gives a visual indication of the degree of blockage. Forexample, when the time required for the water to rise indicates that thepolishing filter 150 is 90% blocked, the control board 210 causes thered light 216 of the visual display to flash. Further, when the controlboard 210 detects that the time required for the water to rise indicatesthat the polishing filter 150 is completely blocked, the control boardcauses the red light 216 to emit a steady red light and turns the watertreatment system off.

Upon recognizing from the visual display that the water treatmentcartridge 114 is blocked, the operator can activate a cooling mode witha switch 222 that turns on the untreated water flow through the systembut does not turn on the heater 144. Cool water then circulatesthroughout the water treatment system and lowers the temperature of thewater treatment system. The control board 210 monitors the cool downswitch 222 and when the cool down mode is detected, the control boardflashes all three lights 212, 214, and 216, in sequence. The controlboard 210 continues to monitor the temperature of the water in the watertreatment cartridge 114 and, when the temperature drops below apredetermined number, such as 50° C., the control board causes all threelights 212, 214, and 216 of the visual display to flash simultaneouslyto indicate that the temperature of the water treatment system 110 islow enough for the operator to open the door 124 of the enclosure of112. In addition, upon detecting that the temperature of the water inthe water treatment cartridge 114 has dropped below the predeterminedtemperature, the control board unlocks an automatic locking mechanism224 which prevents the operator from opening the door 124 of theenclosure 112 during operation of the water treatment system.

The apparatus and method of the present invention require littlecontrol, are simple to maintain and operate and are relativelyinexpensive. In particular, the disposable cartridge 1 is relativelysimple and the non-disposable contents of the apparatus require littlemaintenance. Therefore, the apparatus can economically treat waterwithout entailing high capital expenditures.

The present apparatus and method reduce water hardness and providesterile water while removing many impurities of the water. A simplemethod for in-home or in-store removal of microbiological contaminants,bicarbonate hardness, VOCs/THMs, chlorine, heavy metals and deaerationof water is provided. High reliability in the absence of technicalmonitoring or controls is obtained. This apparatus and method aresimple, convenient and can safely be operated by non-qualifiedpersonnel. Moreover, this apparatus and method require only limitedspace thereby further reducing the overall cost.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for treating water comprising: feeding untreatedwater into a water treatment chamber defined by a housing through awater inlet in the housing; heating the untreated water fed into thewater treatment chamber with a water submersible heater disposed in thewater treatment chamber so that the water directly contacts the heater,the water being heated sufficiently to convert dissolved impurities inthe untreated water to solid precipitates and gases; collecting thesolid precipitates deposited from the water onto a collector disposed inthe housing; and discharging treated water from the housing through awater outlet in the housing.
 2. A method for treating water as in claim1 further comprising discharging the gases from the housing through agas outlet in the housing.
 3. A method for treating water as in claim 2further comprising discharging treated water from the water outlet ofthe housing into a storage tank.
 4. A method for treating water as inclaim 3 further comprising providing a collapsible water container forkeeping the water stored in the storage tank out of contact with air orother gases in a head-space of the storage tank.
 5. A method fortreating water as in claim 2 wherein the heater is an electrical heater.6. A method for treating water as in claim 1 wherein the housing,collector, and heater form a disposable unit, and the method furthercomprises disengaging the disposable unit from the system and replacingthe disposable unit.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:feeding treated water from the housing water outlet through a watercooler; and forcing air past the water cooler to cool the treated waterin the water cooler.
 8. A method for treating water as in claim 7further comprising discharging the gases from the housing through a gasoutlet and a condenser, and forcing air past the condenser to cool thegases in the condenser.
 9. A method for treating water as in claim 8wherein the condenser comprises a coiled pipe.
 10. A method for treatingwater as in claim 7 further comprising exchanging heat in a heatexchanger between treated water discharged from the water cooler anduntreated water being fed into the housing.
 11. A method for treatingwater as in claim 7 wherein the cooler comprises a coiled pipe.
 12. Amethod for treating water comprising: feeding untreated water into awater treatment chamber defined by a housing through a water inlet inthe housing; heating the water with a heater sufficiently to convertdissolved impurities in the untreated water to solid precipitates andgases; and collecting a first portion of the solid precipitatesdeposited from the water on a collector disposed in the housing;collecting a second portion of the solid precipitates on a polyesterwool filter disposed in the housing deposited from the water, the waterfirst flowing through the collector and then through the filter, thefilter having a shorter useful life than the collector so that thefilter becomes blocked with the precipitates before the collectorbecomes blocked with the precipitates; and discharging treated waterfrom the housing through a water outlet in the housing.
 13. A method fortreating water comprising: feeding untreated water into a watertreatment chamber defined by a housing through a water inlet in thehousing; heating the water in the water treatment chamber sufficientlyto convert dissolved impurities in the untreated water to solidprecipitates and gases; collecting the solid precipitates deposited fromthe water on a collector disposed in the housing; discharging treatedwater from the housing through a water outlet in the housing; collectingtreated water discharged from the water outlet of the housing in areservoir; filtering precipitates from the water in the housing using afine filter disposed in the housing; and visually displaying any one ormore of a plurality of possible statuses of the system, wherein at leastone status includes the level of precipitate blockage in the finefilter.
 14. A method for treating water as in claim 13 wherein the stepof visually displaying comprises indicating the one or more statuses ofthe system with a plurality of lights.
 15. A method for treating wateras in claim 13 wherein the statuses include the level of water in thehousing.
 16. A method for treating water as in claim 13 wherein thestatuses include the level of water in the reservoir.
 17. A method fortreating water as in claim 13 wherein the statuses include treated waterdischarge status.
 18. A method for treating water as in claim 13 whereinthe statuses include the level of water in the housing, the level ofwater in the reservoir, the temperature of the water in the watertreatment chamber, the level of blockage in the housing, treated waterdischarge status, system power on/off status, and system cooling status.19. A method for treating water comprising: feeding untreated water intoa water treatment chamber defined by a housing through a water inlet inthe housing; heating the water in the housing with a heater sufficientlyto convert dissolved impurities in the untreated water to solidprecipitates and gases; and collecting the solid precipitates depositedfrom the water onto a collector disposed in the housing; dischargingtreated water from the housing through a water outlet in the housinginto a reservoir; and visually displaying any one or more of a pluralityof possible statuses of the system, wherein at least one status includesa system cooling status which indicates when the water in the housing inbelow a predetermined temperature.
 20. A method for treating water as inclaim 19 wherein the housing s disposed in an enclosure having a doorfor providing access to the enclosure and a lock which selectively locksthe door when the water in the housing is at least the predeterminedtemperature, and alternatively, unlocks the door when the water in thehousing is below the predetermined temperature.